Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-30
Cause Of Drou,h and Cyclones.

Thomas E. HILL in the National Builder.
During recent journey from Europe the passage
across the ocean was especially unpleasant be-
cause OF fogs the only consolation In contem-
plating them being that they represented the
work of Nature in drawing moisture from the
water, which, waited inland. fell upon the soil in
refreshing rain gathered in the brooks and rivers
and flowed TO the sea, to be again thus sent back
to freshen and brighten the parched EARTH
The speed OF our vessel was materially retarded
by winds from the west. common occurrence In
these winds are driven upon the continent where
drOuth seldom prevails, and particularly do they
freshen the verdure of Ireland, and hence the bril-
liant green Of the Emerald isle.
In rejecting upon this subject, contemplated
the drouth then prevailing in several OF the West
ern and Middle States OF the Union. What had
they to gather rains from? Alas, what have they?
For generation our farmers have been draining
their Iapds OF moisture. They have run their
uleing through every slough; they have drawn
out the water from every swamp; they have dried
up the pond; they have obliterated the beautiful
little lake. In doing this they have made such
easy and rapid egress for rainfall from the SOIL
to endanger the homes and farm lands Of all the
settlers along the great rivers In the Southern
distress loss OF life and property eQualingi value
many millions OF dollars-an evil which is growing
In magnitude each year.
The result of this wholesale draining OF the up
per country OF water is not only thus disastrous TO
life and property along the larger streams from
age OF moisture from the earth as to produce Sc
we're drouth, accompanied by such intense heat
cane the cyclone and tnnumerable village prairie
and forest fires.
In the early days when the process Of evapora-
ton of moisture went forward from the SWampS,
the ponds and lakes OF our Western and Middle
States, an extended drouth, with extremely fn-
tense heat, was comparatively rare. In those
days sun-stroke was very uncommon, and the cy-
clone was comparatively unknown. This year we
are in the second season OF drouth In various por
lions Of the country, while every year brings Its
devastation from wind, the result OF an excessive
ly dry and frequently disturbed condition OF the
atmosphere.
With the land thus denuded of natural water
supply, there Is but course for our farmers to
pursue to save themselves from these evils. they
may drain their soil, but they should gather the
rainfall in ponds and lakes scattered throughout
their lands. Instead Of running the drains through
and out OF the swamp they should iead 10 an ex
init, which should be made at depth OF three or
four feet, where the water can gather and VIII re-
Of animals, giving drink to birds, reservoir In
case OF fire, a home for fish, spot OF beauty on
which may sail the boat, an opportunity for the
1t will yield ice for the family provide skating for
the happy youth in winter time, and moisture,
which, through evaporation, Will pass into the
cloud to be returned again through rainfall to the
needy earth.
No fear need be entertained of stagnation from
water thus held in reserve. Fish Will OF them
selves purity 1t. Every rain will change it, while,
II the lake covers an acre or more In area, the
wind will constantly keep it pure. The writer. in
the result OF dredging a swamp, which is filled
only by rainfall, the water being, in the dryest
season, always perfectly clear and fresh.
On the low lands the general abandonment of
farms and homes from river overflow will be the
inevitable outcome OF this water wastage in the
high grounds. Such is already the fact, while the
expenditure OF many millions OF dollars by the
Government tn the construction OF levees and
eSSary for the further protection of adjoining
property. Vastly better that this expenditure be
made in holding the water where it is required in
the up-cOuntry.
Dot the farms of our inland States with ponds
and miniature lakes, and while they will afford
health, attraction, and pleasure in a thousand
ways they will give us back the uniform rainfall
We had in the early settlement OF the country,
when successive seasons OF drought, forest fires,
and cyclones were unknown.